Government Child Care Assistance
The Australian Government provides financial assistance to eligible families to help cover the cost of childcare. This includes Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS). To be eligible for CCS or ACCS you must have a Customer Reference Number (CRN) for both parent and child. Without a CRN you will not be eligible for the Child Care assistance payments.
Child Care Subsidy helps families with the cost of approved child care.
The subsidy is paid directly to child care providers to reduce the fees you pay. The amount you may be eligible for depends on:
- your family’s income
- the hourly rate cap based on the type of child care you use and your child’s age, and
- the hours of recognised activities you and your partner do
Additional Child Care Subsidy gives some families extra help with the cost of approved child care. You must first claim and be eligible for Child Care Subsidy to apply for this additional subsidy. You’ll also need to meet extra criteria. There are 3 different types you can apply for; Grandparent, Transition to Work and Temporary Financial Hardship.
The Commonwealth has set down priority of access guidelines for all day care centres. Highest priority is to be given to children whose parents are employed or seeking employment or studying/training for future employment; and to children at risk.
Please feel free to ask the Centre Manager if you have any questions regarding child care assistance. Kidz Galore requires parents/guardians to provide CRN’s to us so that you can be linked to this service and adjustments made to allow for any government contribution.
For more information, please see https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy
Fees Policy
Accounts will be issued every fortnight and are payable 2 weeks in advance, without variation for sick time, exclusion, public holidays or annual leave. This is necessary to keep your child’s position at the centre.
Preferred modes of payment are direct deposit, cash or cheque. Please note that each Kidz Galore centre has different internet banking details; these can be obtained from the office.
Two weeks written notice must be given prior to withdrawing a child’s enrolment at Kidz Galore. This must be paid for even if your child does not attend. Please note that the rebate payment will not be applied if your child does not attend on their last day.
Accounts must be paid on time, as failure to do so will result in a late fee being charged and or loss of your child’s place at the centre.
As stated by the Australian Government Department of Health ‘No Jab, No Pay’ – New Immunisation Requirements for Family Assistance Payments fact sheet, only parents of children (less than 20 years of age) who are fully immunised or are on a recognised catch-up schedule can receive the Child Care Benefit, the Child Care Rebate and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement.
The relevant vaccinations are those under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which covers the vaccines usually administered before age five. These vaccinations must be recorded on the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR).
Children with medical contraindications or natural immunity for certain diseases will continue to be exempt from the requirements, however conscientious objection and vaccination objection on non-medical grounds will no longer be a valid exemption from immunisation requirements.
Orientations
Kidz Galore prides ourselves in ensuring all children and families feel a sense of belonging whilst being welcomed into our centres. Our orientation process is flexible and tailored to your child’s needs. Orientations occur over a one week period and are free of charge. During the orientation visits, we will discuss your child’s needs and routine with you.
Nutrition & Menu
We offer Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter menus both of which are on a 6-week rotation. All menus are nutritionally balanced to ensure that children are provided with the recommended daily intake of each food group. Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and a Late Snack are provided. Dietary, cultural and medical needs are also catered for at the centre. We encourage families to meet with our cook during the orientation process and discuss your child’s specific needs. All educators and cooks are aware of each child’s dietary requirements and food allergies.
Allergies
Kidz Galore is an allergy aware centre. If your child has a specific allergy, you will be required to complete a Health Management Plan upon commencement at the centre. We ask families to refrain from bringing in outside food into the centre as this may pose a life-threatening risk to children and educators. All food allergies will be catered for by our qualified chefs.
Curriculum
We follow the National Quality Framework and Early Years Learning Framework at the centre. Our curriculum is a balance of child led and intentional teaching and offers children the opportunity to participate in active learning whilst having the support and challenge they need from educators. We incorporate elements of the Reggio Emilia approach into our learning to ensure that children have the opportunity to immerse themselves in learning that is rich in creativity whilst offering depth, appropriate challenge and fun.
Sun Protection
Kidz Galore adopts sun smart practices daily. All children and educators are required to wear a sun smart hat, shoes, suitable clothing and sunscreen when outside. Suitable clothing for summer includes shorts and t-shirts that cover the shoulders. Warm clothing is essential for outdoor play during winter months.
Educators monitor the UV levels daily and outside play is adapted according to weather conditions. Sunscreen is provided and will be applied before children go outdoors. Families are encouraged to apply sunscreen at home each morning to allow it to soak into the skin before the children engage in outdoor play when they arrive at the centre. If your child has an allergy to any sunscreen products, please inform your child’s educators and provide suitable cream for your child.
Incidents
Kidz Galore follows a strict policy and procedure to respond to any incidents that may occur to your child during our care. Within each room, there are educators who hold current First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis certification. If a incident occurs during the day, families will be informed. Depending on the severity of the incident, contact will be made either immediately via telephone or upon the child’s collection from the centre. All incidents are recorded on our Incident Form which includes full details of the circumstances of the incident and the response taken. Families are required to sign this form upon collection of their child.
Our Educators
All educators hold, or are actively working towards, an approved early education and care qualification. All educators hold a minimum Certificate III in Children’s Services and each room has a Leading Educator who holds a Diploma in Children’s Services or higher. Each centre also employs a registered Early Childhood Teacher who facilitates and oversees the Kidz Galore educational program. All educators hold a current Working With Children’s Check and many hold formal certification in First Aid and Asthma & Anaphylaxis.